Beckley Soil Delivery

How much soil do I need to fill a 4 by 8 raised bed?

A 4 by 8 bed filled 12 inches deep needs about 1.2 cubic yards. At 10 inches it is right at one yard. Most Beckley gardeners build two or three beds at once, so figure two and a half to three and a half yards total, and order a little extra since fresh soil settles an inch or two after the first few heavy rains.

Can I just till compost into my existing yard instead of hauling in topsoil?

For small areas, yes, and it is a good approach for Beckley silt loam. Work two to three inches of compost into the top six inches and you will see structure improve within a season. But if your lot was graded during construction and the topsoil was scraped off, which is common in newer Beckley subdivisions, amending subsoil is a losing battle. In that case bring in four to six inches of screened topsoil.

When can I safely work soil in the spring here?

Wait until the silt loam crumbles instead of smearing. Squeeze a handful, and if it forms a shiny ribbon it is too wet and tilling will destroy structure for the whole season. In Beckley that usually means late April, sometimes early May at our elevation. Rushing a wet silt loam bed in March creates compaction that takes two years of organic matter to undo.

Will new topsoil wash off my slope before grass takes hold?

It will if you leave it bare. On Beckley's grades, spread topsoil, seed immediately, and cover with straw or an erosion blanket the same day. Our rain comes in intense summer bursts, and a single storm can strip two inches off an unprotected slope. For anything steeper than about a 3 to 1 grade, use a staked erosion blanket rather than loose straw.

Is our soil acidic, and does the delivered topsoil fix that?

Appalachian soils around Beckley commonly run acidic, often in the 5.0 to 6.0 range, which suits blueberries and rhododendrons but frustrates vegetables and lawns. Screened topsoil is closer to neutral and helps, but it does not permanently change what is underneath. Get a soil test through the Raleigh County WVU Extension office and add lime according to the results, usually in fall so it has time to react.

How deep should topsoil go for a new lawn?

Four inches is the practical minimum in Beckley, and six is better if the site was graded down to subsoil. Grass roots need somewhere to go during the dry stretch that often hits in late July and August. At four inches, one cubic yard covers about 81 square feet, so a 1,000 square foot repair area takes roughly 12 to 13 yards.